solve

American  

[solv] / sɒlv /

verb (used with object)

solved, solving

1. to find the answer or explanation for; clear up; explain.

   to solve the mystery of the missing books.

   Synonyms:

   crack, untangle, unravel, resolve

2. to work out the answer or solution to (a mathematical problem).

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solve British  

/ sɒlv /

verb

1. to find the explanation for or solution to (a mystery, problem, etc)

2. maths

   1. to work out the answer to (a problem)

   2. to obtain the roots of (an equation)

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Other Word Forms

• presolve verb (used with object)
• solver noun
• unsolved adjective
• well-solved adjective

Etymology

Origin of solve

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English solven, from Latin solvere “to loosen, free, release”

Example Sentences

And it isn’t as if Washington would suffer from a few more member-driven, bipartisan efforts to solve issues.

From The Wall Street Journal

Connecting the surface boulders to this deep underground formation solved a long-standing mystery.

From Science Daily

He’s merely one of 347 biologists that Eva assigned to solve the case, so he’s confounded to be in this lonely predicament.

From Los Angeles Times

Google is committed to solving the issue, she said.

From Barron's

If the AI doesn’t do a good job, the company either has to pay a human to sort it out, or spend more AI tokens solving the problem.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• clarify
• clear up
• decide
• determine
• do
• explain
• figure out
• fix
• have
• iron out
• settle
• work out